The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-02-02
DNEsDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY2, 1887.
MARRIED ny PROXY.
Miss Van ZAudt Finally Accomplfshea Hor
Aim In II Sort of Way. .lI

CHICAGO, Feb. 1.-The announcement
was made to-day that August Spies and
Miss Nina Van Zsndt have been married
by proxy, the groom being represented by
his brother. suburban Justice OF Peace
ofllciated. When Sheriff Matson, about
two weeks ago issued m order to the Of.
hcinls Of tho county jail not to admit Misa
Van 2andt to see Spies 1t was thought
that tho mattcr was settled, but It now ar.
pears that neither OF the couple abandoned
their purpose. The law about marrying
by letter and marriage by proxy
was looked up, but nothing was
found except in regard To a marriage by
proxy. This was finally decided upon,
and Justice Englehardt, In the town OF
Jefferson, whose name figured in the pa.
psrs during the last months OF the past
year. as denouncing the verdict Of the
Anarchist trial In public speeches, was
consulted. lie gave 1t as his opinion that
amarrlsHs by proxy would be binding in
law II tho proxy was made out In due
legal form. He was commissioned To
dtaw up o form Of proxy, and spent
considerable time in muking It conform to
what he thought was the law In the case.
The document WAS not gotten ready until
Last Friday. 9a I.~7'0
Early Saturday Miss Van Z,ndt and
Gretchen Spies, the sister Of August, went
out to Jefferson and called on Justice
Eng'ehardt TO get a proxy and having
secured the document went direct to the
county jail with 1t. They mot the wife OF
Spies brother Ferdinand, and q Mrs,
Wendland. Miss Van Zandts three com.
panions Witnessed tho signature OF Spies
to the document by which he had given full
authorlty to his brother Henry W..
Spies to represent him ut the cere:
mony. Mrs. Ferdinand Spies and
Miss Gretchen signed the paper
70 witness August Spies signature.
Then tho whole party, except Spies him
sell, went with Ferdinand Spies TO Justice
Euglehsrdt's Office. They were reinforced
On the way by Miss Van Zlndt's parents
and Henry and Chris Spies, brothers Of
August. The journey to Juatice Engle.
hnrdts Office was made on foot. It was
O'Clock Saturday night by this time.
The Justice again examined his law books,
and then the ceremony WAS performed.
Henry Spies answered to the name of
August Vincent Theodore Spies.
and under this name was married to Miss
Van Zaudt. The bride and her parents
went from the Office Of the Justice to the
home Of Mr.. aud Mrs. Ferdinand Spies,
not far distant, and remained there over
night. The license has not been re-
turned to the County Clerk az REQUIRED
by law. 1t was iasusd only three weeks
ago, however, and the thirty days allowed
ior lta return have not yet expired.
Juatice Englshardt is authority for ths
statement that the marriage was per.
formed. ~
jt spies declines to speak of the marriage
and Miss Nina refuses to be interviewed,
srsn to be seen. The father declines to
talk but does not deny the fact Of the
Ceremony. Sheriff Mateon expressed
great surprise, and then promptly said:
II would not consider farce like that
marriage unless pronounced so by com.
petent legal authority. The alleged cere-
mony will not in my judgment change
the relations Of the parties.
II th'a action was taken for the purpose OF
compelling me to consent to the visits OF
Miss Van Zandt to the jail it is mistaken
eoursa and will not avail. Thereis no OBJ.
legation, even il she was his lawful wife,
to let her visit Spies, who is my prisoner.
Allowing wives to visit their imprisoned
husbands is merely matter Of courtesy.